Is A&P really the hardest of them all?

Study24/7 · Dec 19, 2009

I took AP2 and Micro over the summer during the minisemester. It was hard, but if you have the time to devote to the studies its very doable, especially if you have passed AP1 with good marks.

Good luck

baldee · Dec 19, 2009

I just got thru with micro. All of the AP's and micro are similar difficulty levels. Depending on the professor, they all take everything you can throw at them, because the information is endless and you can never master it all: no matter if you get perfect grades or not.

Starting out with a 5 week biology class in Sum/08, I said I'd never take a mini summer lab class again! And I audited it too since was investigating starting a LPN program simultaneously (but chose NOT to, twice, at first and end of my pre-RN courses). Its your career, but I'd never take a lab class pre req in an abbreviated summer class. The labs are as important, if not more important than the class (Micro is good example).

The first API is barnbusters with 600 bones and nothing to mentally chunk with at first. The biology course (took in the summer) glided me past the first exam in API. ALWAYS Ace (95%+) the first exam on ALL science classes - it will take you through the rest of the semester with an (easier) A!

APII is MORE topics discussed (2 more exams worth!), assuming you know most everything in API. Labs were easier and exams were more difficult and practical as well (maybe why they are harder).

Micro Labs are part of class, in my class anyway. We studied a pragmatic approach which accented on newer nosocomial (hospital borne diseases) and newer resistant strains of bacteria and viruses that were not in text NOR on the web!!! But Micro is almost like the first nursing course, so don't skimp on the labs, assignments, or projects: or you won't get (or deserve) an A.

There are over 3 billion bacteria, so go figure. I got A's in all classes, ranked about #3 per class, and worked full time UNTIL micro (7 hrs/semester). Thank God I didn't work during micro. It may not be as hard, but its a whole lot of work just looking up definitions and references CONSTANTLY. Of course my bacteria lists and labs were engineering journal quality with photos, professionally done (from past disciplines); but it helped (!) understand a complicated subject (almost as much as took in additional time per week to accomplish). Micro is details, details, details,... and then more details on top of that. When you start documenting, you start seeing relationships you are expected to see from 3 to 6 different references (!!).

Maybe I'm just slow, but engineering taught me to document and segregate (database on Excel) information: and with a whole lot of work, will come understanding. Micro is tough, but you will come away with more than the AP's (which are background information you still need a reference to understand clearly afterwards). Hopefully by your lab project, you will feel like an RN or maybe even an MD!

:-)

rnjls · Dec 19, 2009

I thought Micro was harder but only because the exams were essay questions, so I had to study for them a little differently. I learned a lot that way, though. Micro has helped me tremendously during nursing school. I agree with previous posters, though. It is important to devote a lot of hours to studying in order to be successful in these classes. Also, if your school offers open labs for A&P, try to take advantage of those as well.

Anne36, LPN · Dec 20, 2009

I just finished microbiology and havent had A&P yet, but the people in my class who had, said A&P is easier. Our micro class had 10 people left when we took the final last week. Some of the people in my class who have straight A up until then were hoping to get a B. Our final was cuumulative with new material as well and no study guide, review or any clues about what would be included.

primetimewillis · Dec 21, 2009

I am registered for A&P 1 for winter quarter @ Wright State University. Ive started reading the material and taking notes for it, on my break. I wanted to get ahead and focus on getting an A in the class. Wish me luck;) :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow: :bow:

prenurse1848 · Dec 21, 2009

I just finished A&P I and when I tell you, If I have one strand of hair on my head I will be happy. I worked so hard that I was dreaming about CSF and BBBs. A&P wasnt even my only class. I had english, Soc, and Math. I am taking A&P II next semester. Some people tell me it ok but we'll see.

Anne36, LPN · Dec 21, 2009

Yes, I want to get the book over break and start reading and making notecards ahead of time.

Somehow I just cant imagine it being as hard as microbiology. I think a lot has to do with the teacher. I have checked around and there are some who are straight shooters and some who are like my micro class and its all a mystery until you get the test.